29,000 Oklahoma Route 66 Passports distributed in just a few months in 2020

Remember the Oklahoma Route 66 Passport created by the Oklahoma Department of Tourism a couple of years ago? It turns out the agency distributed that little booklet by the truckload. The department this week sent out a news release about the 2020 tourism season, during the first part of the COVID-19 pandemic. It contained this … Continue reading 29,000 Oklahoma Route 66 Passports distributed in just a few months in 2020

Route 66 travelers get sticker shock from recent car-rental rates

One interesting thread on the HIstoric Route 66 page on Facebook has been by prospective Route 66 travelers -- especially foreigners -- who nearly had a heart attack when seeing the prices on rental vehicles. Lee Thurston in a recent post on the group stated he made a reservation a year ago for an SUV … Continue reading Route 66 travelers get sticker shock from recent car-rental rates

Joe & Aggie’s Cafe faces uncertain future after closing, death of its longtime owner

If the landmark Joe & Aggie's Cafe in Holbrook, Arizona, ever reopens, it probably won't be as a restaurant. That means folks who dined there in the fall of 2020 might have enjoyed among the last meals served in Holbrook's oldest restaurant before it quietly closed. According to Joe & Aggie's long-dormant Facebook page, the … Continue reading Joe & Aggie’s Cafe faces uncertain future after closing, death of its longtime owner

Oklahoma Route 66 Association received nearly $15,000 in federal COVID-19 funds

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association recently received nearly $15,000 from the federal coronavirus relief funds from American Rescue Plan. The association's current newsletter, distributed this month, stated: In August, Oklahoma Humanities (OH) reported that almost $700,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funding would be distributed to over 50 cultural and educational organizations statewide. Grants … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association received nearly $15,000 in federal COVID-19 funds

President Biden issues rules that allow vaccinated foreigners to travel to U.S.

U.S. President Joseph Biden last week issued an order that reopens the border on Nov. 8 to most international travelers, especially those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the BBC and other media outlets. The original travel ban, imposed last spring by the previous president, Donald Trump, affected dozens of countries, including the … Continue reading President Biden issues rules that allow vaccinated foreigners to travel to U.S.

U.S. will lift travel ban for vaccinated international travelers by November

The United States government on Monday announced it would lift the COVID-related travel ban for 33 countries, including the United Kingdom and European Union, by early November if those travelers are fully vaccinated against the disease. It would be the first time in more than 18 months that European travelers could travel to the U.S. … Continue reading U.S. will lift travel ban for vaccinated international travelers by November

Owner of Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que dies of COVID-19 complications

Dennis Meiser, the longtime owner of the landmark Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que restaurant along Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri, died Friday after being hospitalized for several weeks due to coronavirus complications. He was 65. Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba is handling the arrangements. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral … Continue reading Owner of Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que dies of COVID-19 complications

Denny’s launching America’s Diner Hiring Tour along Route 66

Denny's on Thursday announced it is launching an "America's Diner Hiring Tour" on Route 66 from St. Louis to Los Angeles to hire 20,000 new workers for its restaurant chain. The tour will make stops at these locations: Monday, June 28, at 8 a.m. – 10575 Watson Road, St. Louis, MissouriTuesday, June 29, at 8 a.m. – 1617 SW 74th Street, Oklahoma CityWednesday, … Continue reading Denny’s launching America’s Diner Hiring Tour along Route 66

Veteran journalist bicycles length of Route 66 during pandemic for a future book

Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan recently caught up with veteran journalist Michael Sean Comerford, who cycled the length of Route 66 during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year and talked to scores of people along the way. Comerford began his journey from Chicago in March, averaging 35 to 70 miles daily, with a sign affixed … Continue reading Veteran journalist bicycles length of Route 66 during pandemic for a future book

Tourism recovering rapidly in Amarillo region after COVID-19 pandemic

In another sign Route 66 is recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, Amarillo reported stronger-than-expected tourism numbers in late 2020. KAMR-TV in Amarillo got some interesting data from the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau: What they saw was last quarter of 2020 numbers outperforming numbers they saw in 2019, which itself was a growth year for … Continue reading Tourism recovering rapidly in Amarillo region after COVID-19 pandemic